ROLLINSFORD — The Minnesota family of newlywed bride Leigh Fonda Preiss, who was killed in suspected drunken driving accident here on July 20, mourned her passing with a celebration of her life.

A celebration service for Preiss was held at the at the Cedar Church in Minnesota, an area close to where Preiss and her husband, Brian, lived before the accident. In her eulogy, Preiss was described as believing there was much more to life than material things and she would encourage all to live life to the fullest every day. The eulogy also shared her love of growing flowers and how their simple elegance brightened her day.

To symbolize Preiss' love for flowers, the service provided seed packets to remind those in attendance of her beauty and passion for life.

On the afternoon of Matthew Tsopas of Somersworth collided with a car driven by the newlyweds, Brian Preiss, 30, and his wife Leah, 30. She was transported to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, but died shortly thereafter from injuries sustained in the head-on collision.

Tsopas, 43, of Somersworth was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the crash and had been involved in an incident immediately prior at the Rollinsford American Legion.

At Tsopas' July 31 probable cause hearing, Strafford County attorney Tom Velardi described the sequence of events that allegedly occurred on the night of the accident.

Tsopas had been seen acting “unruly” at the Legion, drinking to excess, and taking pills, according to authorities. Toxicology reports later verified that Tsopas had alcohol and several controlled drugs in his system. A state police affidavit stated he also assaulted an employee and a patron at the Legion and struck four cars in the parking lot as he was leaving.

The police were called and were headed to the scene.

Tsopas then allegedly continued down Route 4 and while trying to pass another vehicle, stuck the Preiss' vehicle head-on. Tsopas then reportedly fled his Infiniti and ran through the woods while removing articles of clothing. State police, with the assistance of a “good Samaritan,” were able to get Tsopas into custody after a struggle.

Tsopas suffered injuries from the crash and required medical attention at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, where he had to be sedated and guarded by police. Tsopas is now behind bars, facing charges of negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated.

Even through such tragic events, the family of Preiss reached out to others expressing their deepest gratitude.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Roger Myer, Heather Lareaux, State Troopers Storm and Steve Wheeler, and many of the police officers, paramedics, doctors and wonderful people of Rollinsford,” the eulogy read. “Please know your kindness, generosity, and outpouring love and support for Leah, Brian, and our families is seen and felt across the miles between us. We anxiously await the day we can properly thank you face to face.”